Explore Kaleideum 

Families traveling with kids will want to make time for Kaleideum, downtown Winston-Salem’s interactive learning museum. Open daily with year-round programming, the museum blends hands-on play with STEAM learning across multiple floors and nine permanent exhibit areas. 

Kids can meet animals, explore water-based science exhibits, build custom animations, create art in the Make-It studio, or travel through the cosmos in the Digital Dome. The highlight is Rooftop Adventures, a one-of-a-kind outdoor play space with slides, climbing structures, and expansive city views. 

Visit Tanglewood Park 

Just a few miles west of Winston-Salem in Clemmons, Tanglewood Park is a go-to spot for families who want room to roam. The park’s wide, paved loop trail is ideal for strollers and bikes, while multiple playgrounds, including a recently renovated main playground near Tanglewood Barn, invite extended playtime. 

Visit the Arboretum and children’s garden in spring bloom, stop by Tanglewood Stables for pony or horseback rides, or spread out a picnic blanket in the open fields. Families can also try the beginner-friendly Par 3 golf course or nationally recognized SoftGolf, both perfect for first-timers. For more on ideas on what to do in the park, check out our 24 Hours in Tanglewood Itinerary. 

Time Travel in Old Salem 

Old Salem Museums & Gardens turns history into an interactive family outing through hands-on exhibits, costumed interpreters, and working trade shops. Located just south of downtown, the living history district invites you to see how daily life unfolded centuries ago. Families especially enjoy the Boys School—with its Cabinet of Curiosities—the Miksch House for hands-on cooking and chores, and the Single Brothers’ House, where trades like pottery and weaving are on display. No visit is complete without a stop at Winkler Bakery for Moravian cookies, sugar cake, and other fresh-baked treats. Kids will also love the old-timey water pump at Salem Square and photo ops at the Big Coffee Pot and Heritage Bridge. To get the best out of your visit, check out our Old Salem 101 guide. 

Catch a Game or a Race 

Spring is a great time to tap into Winston-Salem’s accessible sports scene, with options depending on when you visit. The Twin City Thunderbirds wrap up their hockey season with home games through March and early April at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena.

The Winston-Salem Dash begin their baseball season in early April at award-winning Truist Stadium, featuring fantastic food, a Kids Zone, and frequent promotions. By mid-April, Saturday night races return to Bowman Gray Stadium, where short-track action delivers high energy at family-friendly prices. 

Family-Friendly Dining Spots 

Traveling with kids doesn’t mean settling for boring meals. The city’s family-friendly restaurants balance good food with relaxed atmospheres and space to spread out. 

Here are a few favorites:

• Camel City BBQ Factory pairs classic barbecue with arcade games and lawn activities.
• East of Texas serves Southwest-style BBQ in an open-air space that’s ideal for families (dogs, too!)
• The Porch Kitchen & Cantina offers a dedicated kids’ menu alongside Tex-Mex favorites.
• Cin Cin Burger Bar keeps things fun with creative burgers and over-the-top milkshakes.
• Bossy Beulahs Chicken Shack offers a classic chicken sandwich and nugget experience, but elevated and locally crafted, making it perfect for appealing to picky eaters and parents alike.
• Cugino Forno delivers wood-fired pizza, wings, and more in a one-of-a-kind setting, sharing it’s massive Coal Pit courtyard with Incendiary Brewing.

Tour the Downtown Arts District 

Winston-Salem’s Downtown Arts District packs one of the region’s most concentrated collections of galleries, studios, and public art into just a few walkable blocks. Stretching along Trade and Liberty streets, the district doubles as an open-air gallery, with murals, sculptures, and installations woven into the streetscape. 

Start at Artivity on the Green, where the iconic red smokestacks and rotating mural wall set the tone, then explore citywide public art using the Public Arts Guide. Along the way, pop into galleries like Piedmont Craftsmen Gallery, Delurk, Visual Index, and Red Dog Gallery, and browse creative shops and boutiques that reflect the city’s maker-driven spirit. 

Catch a Film – or a Festival 

Film lovers have plenty to explore in Winston-Salem, especially during the spring. Downtown’s A/perture Cinema anchors the local film scene with indie, foreign, and blockbuster films, plus special screenings and community events in a cozy, beer-and-wine-friendly setting. 

For a budget option, Marketplace Cinema offers new-release films, short previews, and classic moviegoing charm. Also in spring, the annual RiverRun International Film Festival (April 17-25) brings Hollywood vibes to town, screening 150+ films across multiple venues. As an Academy Award-qualifying festival, RiverRun draws filmmakers and audiences alike for a week of premieres, panels, and screenings. 

Shop the City 

Spring break is the perfect excuse to browse, wander, and bring home something you cannot find anywhere else. Winston-Salem’s shopping scene blends creative districts with polished retail hubs, all easy to explore. 

In the Downtown Arts District, colorful murals frame independent boutiques and maker-driven shops along Trade and Liberty streets. Reynolda Village pairs historic architecture with modern style, while the Reynolda Road corridor is known for standout secondhand and vintage finds at spots like Primm’s, Yours Truly, and Collage. For national brands and regional favorites, Thruway Center anchors the Stratford Road Shopping District. 

Explore more with our WS Shopping Guide. 

Explore Local Museums 

Winston-Salem’s museums span fine art, design, and history, offering a well-rounded cultural experience in any season.

• Reynolda House Museum of American Art blends art, architecture, and history on a former Reynolds family estate. Its exhibit space reopens in March 2026 with Layered Looking, an immersive exhibition exploring art through touch, sound, and movement. Reynolda Gardens and Reynolda Village add even more to the visit.
• NC Museum of Art - Winston-Salem (formerly SECCA) continues to spotlight contemporary creativity during a major transformation. This spring, NCMA opens a new downtown exhibition space at Fourth and Marshall streets, keeping rotating shows and public programs accessible in a walkable setting.
• MESDA in Old Salem houses the world’s premier collection of early Southern decorative arts. Furniture, ceramics, quilts, metalwork, and more—some of which dates back to the 1600s—all combine to create an experience you have to see to believe.
• Körner’s Folly, just east of Winston-Salem in Kernersville, is a whimsical Victorian masterpiece built as a living portfolio by artist Jule Körner. Its 22 rooms, hidden passages, and imaginative design make it one of the area’s most memorable cultural stops.
• Kernersville Auto Museum showcases more than 30 vintage, classic, and exotic cars from American muscle to European icons and international models. Check out the meticulously restored and drivable vehicles, paired with informative displays, all free of charge.

See Gardens in Bloom 

As warmer days arrive, Winston-Salem’s public gardens come alive with color, offering peaceful places to slow down and explore. Reynolda Gardens, just north of downtown, features formal gardens, a restored greenhouse, and scenic trails winding past meadows and wetlands, all free to explore from sunrise to sunset. 

In Kernersville, Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden impresses with themed gardens and its annual Spectacular Tulip Bloom, one of the largest displays in the Piedmont. Tucked inside Tanglewood Park, the Tanglewood Arboretum is a quiet hidden gem, with brick pathways connecting seasonal plantings and ornamental gardens. 

Check out our Winston-Salem Garden Guide for more details on each, including can’t-miss sites and hidden wonders. 

Walk, Run, or Ride Salem Lake 

Just minutes from downtown, Salem Lake offers a 7.1-mile loop trail wrapping around the shoreline, with sweeping water views along the way. 

The wide, mostly flat path is popular with walkers, runners, cyclists, and even horseback riders. Salem Lake connects to the Salem Creek Greenway, which links to other in-town trails like Long Branch Trail and the Downtown Strollway. On warmer days, visitors can kayak or launch small boats from the marina, with seasonal kayak rentals available on-site. 

Hike at Nearby State Parks 

Winston-Salem is within easy reach of two standout state parks. Pilot Mountain State Park, less than 30 minutes away, is known for its iconic peak and panoramic views. The moderate Pilot Knob Trail circles the mountain’s base, while a short walk to Little Pinnacle Overlook delivers big scenery with minimal effort. 

Just over half an hour north, Hanging Rock State Park pairs dramatic rock formations with waterfalls and forested trails. Popular routes include the Hanging Rock Trail, Moore’s Knob Lookout, and waterfall hikes along Indian Creek. See more in our State Park Hiking Guide. 

See the Sights with Triad Eco Adventures 

For a guided way to enjoy the outdoors, Triad Eco Adventures makes exploring easy and fun. Join a Segway or eBike tour to cruise greenways, downtown streets, and scenic routes while learning about local history along the way. 

Prefer to set your own pace? Pedego eBike rentals are available by the hour, with child and pet trailers offered. When the weather warms up, Triad Eco also offers standup paddleboarding at Salem Lake, adding another way to experience the city from the water.

Go Al Fresco, Winston-Salem Style 

When spring weather settles in, outdoor dining becomes part of daily life in Winston-Salem. Across downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, patios range from lively sidewalks to tucked-away garden spaces. 

There are literally dozens of great patio options around town, many of which are detailed in our Outdoor Dining Guide, but here are some staff favorites to get you started: 

• Bernardin’s at the Zevely House for historic vibes, upscale dining, and a romantic garden patio.
• The Old Fourth Street Filling Station for its brick-lined courtyard, koi pond, and supreme Shrimp & Grits.
• Mozelle’s Fresh Southern Bistro for downtown sidewalk dining, great people-watching, and top-notch Southern fare.
• Quiet Pint Tavern for a relaxed, dog-friendly outdoor seating that’s partially covered.
• Village Tavern in Reynolda Village for tree-shaded patio glows with twinkling lights.
• The Porch Kitchen & Cantina for fun vibes, tasty Tex-Mex, and plenty of outdoor options. 

Explore Yadkin Valley Wine Country 

With more than 45 wineries within an easy drive, Winston-Salem is a natural starting point for exploring the Yadkin Valley Wine Region. Just 30 minutes west, the Swan Creek Wine Trail clusters 11 wineries within a 10-mile radius, making it simple to visit several in one day. 

Standouts include JOLO, Shelton Vineyards, Childress Vineyards, and Italian-inspired estates like Raffaldini and Piccione. Prefer to leave the driving to someone else? Several tour and transportation services offer pickup in Winston-Salem, making a relaxed, worry-free wine country day trip easy to plan. 

Go Craft Draft Crawling 

Winston-Salem’s craft beer scene is compact, walkable, and easy to explore. You can create your own Craft Draft Crawl by hopping between breweries clustered close by.  

In downtown’s Industry Hill area, Fiddlin’ Fish and Wise Man anchor the scene with large taprooms, outdoor space, and rotating food trucks, while Radar Brewing adds a smaller, intimate stop nearby. 

In the middle of downtown, Small Batch offers an equally intimate vibe, great food, and a hub for soccer fans.  A few blocks away on Fourth Street is the city’s original brewery, Foothills, which pairs award-winning beers with a full pub menu. Finally, Incendiary Brewing in downtown’s Innovation Quarter pours small-batch beers inside the historic Bailey Power Plant—a true must-see.

There is an endless list of things to do in Winston-Salem during every season. Explore Outdoor Adventures, dive deeper into Hiking, Biking, and Trails, find exciting attractions and things to do, and request a visitor guide to start planning your trip today!